PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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PC.O. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
1172
70
No. 58.
THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received 7th January, 1915.)
[Answered by No. 64.]
SIR,
725, Southern Building, Washington, D.C., 23rd December, 1914. We are in receipt of communications from Dr. Howard, who states that in St. Vincent work has not been started because no Medical Officer is available to relieve Dr. Durrant. He stated previously that Dr. Marshall, in Antigua, is to close his work soon to take up service in the Army Medical Corps. I presume that for all the Colonies, during the continuance of the war, every available man will be needed in your hospital corps. We should be glad to tender the services of medical men who have had experience in the Southern States in the ankylostomiasis campaigns of from two to four years, for such periods as may be necessary to get the work started and keep it going until your own men will be available. In five of the Southern States the active campaigns, which have been in progress for nearly five years, are drawing to a close 31st December, and quite a number of capable directors are being dropped from the service. A number of these men, I presume, would welcome an opportunity for a few months' service.
I note, from your letter of 18th November,* that the Governor of Trinidad has been advised that there would be no objection to availing himself of this kind of temporary aid. I thought it possible, in view of the difficulties and delays you are having in other Colonies, that you might be disposed to send similar communica- tions to them.
Referring to the appointment of an Ankylostomiasis Commission for determin- ing to what degree ankylostome infection is a menace to the health and working efficiency in the Federated Malay States, and, possibly, if conditions invite, subse quently in India, Siam, Indo-China, and Java, it occurred to me that perhaps the Advisory Committee would experience similar difficulties in obtaining suitable men. Dr. Rose and Dr. Heiser seemed to be of the opinion that Dr. Marshall Barber, who has rendered brilliant service in the Philippine Islands, would be admirably suited for this special work, and they happen to know that he would be available at a salary which will not exceed $4,000 and necessary travelling expenses. General Gorgas, and others with whom we have conferred, are a unit in the opinion that Dr. Samuel T. Darling would be ideally qualified for service on the Commission. I am enclosing herewith a copy of a letter written by General Gorgas concerning him. We have some reason to believe that Darling can be obtained. If these two gentlemen would be acceptable to the Colonial Office and the Advisory Committee, perhaps even with the great demand you now have in the Army for medical men you could designate the third member of the Commission with little difficulty. presume it would be of immense value to such a Commission to have at least one member thoroughly acquainted and identified in the particular region where the investigation would be conducted. I shall appreciate your advising us on these points.
I have, &c.,
JOHN A. FERRELL.
DEAR DOCTOR,
Enclosure in No. 58.
12th December, 1914.
I
In accordance with our conversation this morning I send you enclosed copy of lettert to Colonel Mason concerning Dr. Darling.
Dr. Darling came to us at Panama about ten years ago and has been in our Laboratory of Original Research ever since that time, for the last five or six years as the head of the laboratory. He is about 35 years of age, is married, and has two children. During the last five or six years he has been at the head of our Laboratory of Original Research at Panama and has supervised the work done in that institu- tion. Various reports and special articles have been published, very thoroughly outlining the work done by this institution. This training, I think, specially fits him for membership on the Commission under consideration. His work in the laboratory at Panama has thoroughly familiarized him with both malaria and ankylostomiasis.
* No. 45.
Not received in Colonial Office.
71
When I left the Isthmus he was receiving a salary of $4,500 a year, with quarters, light, fuel, privilege of buying from the commissary, etc. The equivalent of this salary, as a member of this Commission, I think, should be about $6,000 per year. If allowances are of any kind given, such allowances might be considered in fixing salary. When the work of the present Commission shall have been completed, if he were employed as administrative officer of similar work in India or some other country, I think he would be worth fully as much, that is, $6,000.
I think Dr. Darling decidedly the best man for work of this kind that I know of.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM C. GORGAS.
Dr. John A. Ferrell,
725, Southern Building,
Washington, D.C.
2883
No. 59.
THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION to COLONIAL OFFICE.
SIR,
(Received 19th January, 1915.)
725, Southern Building, Washington, D.C., 7th January, 1915. YOUR favour of 23rd December* has been received.
1. It is exceedingly desirable that Dr. Washburn, and any other directors who may be utilized temporarily in the West Indies, should receive formal appointments from the Governor or the local Administrator. The Commission's representatives in Panania and Costa Rica have received such commissions from the local Governments.
2. We shall be pleased to hear of the views of the High Commissioner with regard to the proposed study by a Commission of the extent to which ankylostomiasis is an economic handicap to the people in the Malay States.
I have, &c.,
1172
SIR,
No. 60.
MALAY STATES.
JOHN A. FERRELL
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. [Answered by No. 83.]
(Miscellaneous.)
Downing Street, 21st January, 1915.
IN continuation of my despatch "Miscellaneous," of the 24th December,† I have the honour to transmit to you, for your consideration, an extract from a lettert received from the International Health Commission, with regard to the proposed inquiry into ankylostomiasis in the Malay States.
I shall be glad if you will inform me by telegram whether you approve generally of the proposals for a commission of inquiry, and whether you are in a position to nominate a local member
I have informed the International Health Commission that the appointment of Dr. Marshall Barber and Dr. S. T. Darling would be quite acceptable to me, subject to your concurrence in the proposals generally.
I have, &c.,
L. HARCOURT.
* No. 54.
I No. 56.
↑ No. 58 (last paragraph).
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